Hal Rogers Praises Congressional Budget Agreement

From Kentucky Public RadioThe Kentucky Congressman who chairs the House Appropriations Committee is praising today’s passage of a sweeping one trillion dollar budget bill. In a speech on the House floor, Hal Rogers said the measure covers the day-to-day operations of 10 cabinet agencies and avoids a government shut down.“This bill provides funding necessary to support our national security including funding for our military engagements abroad and our domestic obligations benefits and programs, for our veterans, active military and their families and homeland security efforts to keep our borders safe and sound,” he said.Rogers says the bill gives the pentagon its smallest budget increase in recent years and cuts the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget by three percent. The EPA budget cut was met with dismay by environmental groups, who say the agency is providing essential pollution regulation.The bill was approved 296 to 121 on a bi-partisan vote.